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Monday, August 1, 2016

Cultists kill four, shoot two-year-old in Lagos community

There was pandemonium on 24 Road, in the Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, after suspected cult members shot dead four persons.

It was learnt that the six-man gang arrived in the community on Friday around 8pm on two motorcycles.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a 63-year-old native doctor, identified as Rasheed Yusuf, aka Low Banger, who was walking along the road, was the first to be killed.

The attackers were said to have also shot at Rasheed’s wife, Falilat, and a two-year-old girl, Kehinde.

The duo, however, survived the attack.

The cultists further reportedly waylaid and shot dead two men, identified as Yusuf Cisco and Lukman Apetu, who were returning from work on a motorcycle.

A yet-to-be-identified resident was also reportedly killed during the shooting spree which left many residents injured.

Policemen from the Ikorodu division and members of a vigilance group in the area were said to have arrived at the area to remove the corpses after the attackers left.

When PUNCH Metro got to the area on Saturday, most shops and houses on Tobalase and Olubuse streets, as well as Awotunde Lane, were locked.

A crowd of sympathisers was observed at Rasheed’s house.
Punch learnt that Cisco, another victim, was buried on Saturday in accordance with Islamic rites.

A relation, who did not want his name in print, said the gunmen were on a reprisal, adding that they decided to pass their aggression to residents when they didn’t meet their targets.

He said, “Baba (Rasheed), a well known native doctor in this area, was walking to his son’s shop on Tobalase Street when he heard the gunshots. He was about warning his children to lock the doors, when the gunmen shot him.

“They also shot at his wife and a little girl. We rushed the woman and the child to a public hospital where they are still receiving treatments.

“After leaving that spot, they shot at three young men returning from work. Two of them died that evening, while the third died in a hospital later. People were injured by the sporadic shooting. A man, Baba Ogo, was injured in the stomach.”

A resident, who gave his name only as Qudus, said the cultists came in from the Ebute area of Igbogbo.

He said, “The cult guys are from Ikorodu town. They came in from the Ebute area. We do not know the gang they belong to. Some Onyabo (vigilance group) members have been patrolling this area, but they are arresting innocent residents.

“When we went to bury one of the deceased today (Saturday), the gunmen still shot at someone in the cemetery.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the deaths.

She added that the police had arrested three suspects.

She said, “Three suspects have been arrested. They will soon be transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja. The command is on the trail of other suspects.”